Allergies in Dogs & Cats

EXCERPT FROM “THE ROYAL TREATMENT” – by Barbara Royal, DVM, CVA, founder and owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center

ALLERGIC PETS

An itchy pet may not be a medical emergency, but it is often a mental emergency.

Allergies are a big issue in veterinary medicine. Although a sneeze can be an initial sign of allergy, a more common sigh of allergy is itching. Itchy dogs and cats chew at their skin and feet, scratching, licking, irritating, and even ulcerating skin. Itching is distressing for both pets and owners. It’s hard to live or sleep with a per that can’t stop scratching. The irritated pet can really weigh on the mind. Not to mention the extreme discomfort the pet is going through.

Not only are people allergic to animals, but animal are allergic to our world, too. I use the analogy of a cup overfilling when I explain allergies to my clients. As long as the cup isn’t brimming over with allergens and immune problems, the animal won’t show any signs of irritation. However, when the cup runneth over, the itchy signs maketh themselves known.

Note: Some of my clients have been told that their pet is allergic to meat. I believe it is highly unlikely that a carnivore is allergic to meat. Although I know it can be true, it should be the exception, not the rule. More commonly, the culprit is the chemicals in processed meats or poor-quality meats, or the grains and chemicals in the processed food irritate an animal’s GI tract, making the intestines a poor border protector. An unhealthy GI tract may allow more antigens into the bloodstream. When a food change alleviates allergies, it is more likely because the food improves the health of the GI tract by providing a good protein content, and fewer grains of chemicals. A healthy GI tract makes all the difference in resolving allergies.